North Leith, Edinburgh

Several mariners and shipwrights are buried in this cemetery. This stone has an interesting variation on the 'Green Man' and also shows tools of the trade.

North Leith, Edinburgh

Situated on a small triangle of land adjacent to the river, this cemetery has some very interesting headstones. Most have been well blackened by pollution over the centuries however the carvings are often in very good condition.

Colinton Church gravemarker

This fairly recent and unusual gravemarker is for an Estonian.

Leonhard Männik

From Pärnu Estonia

Died 7th December 1927

Colinton Church graveyard

Mort safe. The deceased body would be held in this iron chest until it had decomposed enough to render it unsuitable for the body snatchers. It was then buried. Edinburgh was infamous for body snatchers, bodies were stolen for use in the medical schools.

Colinton Churchyard, gravestone

Hark from the Tomb a

Solemn Sound

Prepare Prepare it crys.

To drop your body in the dust.

Your Soul to mount the Skies.

Colinton Churchyard, headstone carving

Death's head and berries

Colinton Churchyard, gravestone carving

Death's head and crossed bones - A somewhat tortured expression

Colinton Churchyard, gravestone carving

Winged soul of the departed

Colinton Churchyard, headstone carving

Peebles Kirkyard

Peebles Kirkyard

Note the change in lettering style.

Peebles Kirkyard

Here lyes Thomas Stevenson tenant in Bonningtoun who dyid May 8 1757 aged 74 years.

Peebles Kirkyard

A great carving, still fresh and unweathered.

Peebles Kirkyard

The soul rising from the body to await the Day of Judgement.

Peebles Kirkyard

Not a pirate's grave, but the Death's Head is a symbol of mortality. The hourglass represents the passage of time.

Peebles Kirkyard

Represents the soul of the departed rising to heaven. A symbol of immortality.

Peebles Kirkyard

Peebles Kirkyard

Skull carving. Is he grinning?

Peebles Kirkyard

Here Lyes James Henderson...Dyed June 1772

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh

Another two of the Green Men on John Milne's monument. Definitely the last - try not to have too many nightmares tonight!

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh

The top carving is probably a representation of John Milne's soul leaving the body and rising to Heaven. Below, is a fearsome Green Man.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh

The top green man on John Milne's monument. Unusually this Green Man has what looks like bat wings.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh

John Milne's monument, with not one but five Green Men! The pagan symbol of a Green Man was used as early as the 2nd-3rd century by the Romans and was commonly found in churches and cathedrals and then later became popular on gravestones in lowland Scotland. This monument is rich in imagery. An hour-glass indicates the passage of time, cherubs or winged souls represent the soul leaving the body on death and ascending to wait the day of judgement, and the downward facing pair of crossed torches represent death and a life cut short.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh

Greyfriars is noted for its large number of very big and ornate monuments dating back to the 1600s. Here are three. The dirty black colour of the stone is caused by atmospheric pollution over the centuries in 'Auld Reekie' - something not seen in the country kirkyards where I usually find myself.